Business students’ cold calling heats up nonprofit efforts

Undergraduates enrolled in Business Development and Account Management gain hands-on training in developing relationships and businesses through outbound cold calling and email. One class’s efforts also helped provide critical home repairs for those in need.

During the fall 2024 semester, the class focused on assisting the Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry, more commonly known as WARM NC, a nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers and contractors to make safety repairs for low-income homeowners in New Hanover and surrounding counties at no cost to the homeowners. Services range from floor and electrical repairs to wheelchair ramp construction.

Representatives from WARM detailed current needs and helped develop a script for calls.

The experience “was a real win for all parties involved,” said Cameron School of Business student Logan Takalo ’25. “As students, we were able to develop hands-on experience with cold calling and communicating value, and WARM was able to expand its network and increase funding opportunities.”

Over the semester, Takalo and his classmates completed three rounds of cold calls:

Round 1: Calls were made to 700 former donors and volunteers; more than 100 rejoined efforts. Round 2: The class reached out to more than 1,000 local organizations to solicit their help in securing employee volunteers; more than 50 organizations expressed a willingness to participate. Round 3: Sponsorships for the annual WARM Gala (ranging from $1,000 to $10,0000) were solicited; 12 appointments were made.

The class is taught by lecturer John Reed, who also serves as the director of UNCW’s Center for Sales Excellence and Customer Delight. He plans to work with WARM again in future semesters.

In 2023, CSB students partnered with WARM for the Cameron Day of Service, part of their annual Business Week.